INNOCENCE OF A CHILD
by Caz

.script by Gabi.

|story visited times|

was stressed to the eyeballs. She had been looking for a Fairy dress for her Daughter for hours she was still none the wiser.

“Are you sure it was in here?” asked her daughter Leah for the hundredth time.

“Yes Mummy I’m sure” “You said that 10 shops ago” replied under her breath laughing.

As soon as had taken 5 steps into the shop Leah ran right to her dress.

“I’ve found it, I told you it was in here” “The Disney Store. I should have known.”

“?” turned around when she heard her name.

“Oh my god ” said walking up to her to give her a hug.

“Hey how have you been?” “Great thanks. God it’s been an age.” “I know, two years since we last saw each other.”

“Mummy who’s this?” Leah asked from the side of her. looked down to her and smiled.

“Hey Leah. I’m . You were a tiny baby when I saw you last and now you’re a little princess all grown up.”

Leah smiled and jumped into ’s arms. “Look I’m really sorry I have to go. Why don’t you come round tomorrow night?” asked giving her address.

“Yeah great, I’ll see you then.” gave a hug and watched her leave.

“So what are we lads up to tomorrow then?” asked as he walked back into the living room with some beers for them all.
“I say we hit the clubs and pubs,” offered helpfully. “Same old . Club and drink Mad.” laughed “Let's do something different, I’m a married man now boys” “Why don’t we have a Lads night at mine. is away for the next few months. Frankly I’m bored by myself.”

“Daddy daddy” Leah said running into the living room to hug her Dad.
“Hey babes” said picking his little girl up in his arms and kissing her on her forehead. A few seconds later walked in with a ton of bags. He smiled at her. He lent forward and kissed her.
“Get a room” Leah laughed, turned to look at her. “Where did you get that from?” Leah looked innocently at .

“What, I didn’t”

went upstairs and put her stuff away, when she came down she grabbed herself a beer and joined the lads in the living room. Sitting on ’s lap.

“Hey you still out tomorrow night?” said to . “Yeah. Why, what you up too?” “I saw . She’s back in Sligo and she’s coming round for a chat. So I was going to say if you weren’t going out, can you please do so, but I don’t need to worry now.”

“You saw who?” asked not sure he heard right. “, you know the one. Left to be a Hollywood Star in Charmed and ended up dating Joshua.” said bitchy to .
“Why's she back?” said looking to then back to . “Don’t know. She looked great though.” “She always did look great” laughed. “ Oh do I hear a little Crush coming through?” laughed, nodded at him.

“I always liked . But at the time I was into and that didn’t work out so maybe me and could have a go.” “Do you know what that sounds like” said a bit sharply.

“Whatever boys” said getting up, she walked into the kitchen to see what she could cook for tea.

felt weird being back in Sligo. She had expected everything to change but nothing had. It was still the same place.

She just wondered how much her friends had changed. When she had made the choice to come back she had hopped would have to, but was happy in LA with her man Jamie.

felt herself walking down her old street. When she got to her old house she was surprised to see it up for sale. She looked at her watch it was only 8.30.

So she decided to knock on the door to ask about it.

was standing in Blockbuster looking at the list of Films had asked him to pick up on the way home from dropping Leah off at her friends for the night.

“Why is it girls always get chick flicks?” asked grabbing Bridget Jones, one of the films that were on the list.

“Don’t ask me mate. It’s a girl thing. Mind you there’s a horror film here.” “That’s ” said as matter of fact.

gave him a slide long glance. “What, we were best friends for years mate. She used to make me watch Horror after Horror.”

“Are you looking forward to seeing her?” “Yeah I am. I know we lost touch when she left, I know that was my fault but I hope we can be friends again.”

“Friends?” asked as he handed the films over to the man behind the counter.

“Yeah. And 's got his eye on .” stated, “Yeah but if he knew that you liked her he wouldn’t. I still don’t get why you never told her how you felt?”

“Cause when we asked her why she was going she said that there was nothing here for her.”

went to say something but changed his mind. did say there was nothing to keep her in Sligo. But changed his mind then thought of something else to say.

“Then why is she back?” couldn’t answer that one.

If he was honest he had got over the whole him liking . He came to the conclusion it was because they were friends and he just got his feeling mixed around. Well that’s what he told himself.

parked her car in 's drive she was so happy to be seeing her friend again. She was even happier that she had just brought her old house.

She grabbed her bags from the back. Knowing that would make tonight a real girlie evening. had brought the essentials with her.

was just about to knock on the door when a car behind her beeped she looked behind her and saw and get out the car.

“ wow, girl you’ve changed a lot. Give me a hug.” pulled to him and gave her a big bear hug.

He let her go and looked at her. “I can’t believe how hot you look girl.”

“No ideas ” said from the doorway. She had heard beep his car and went to open the door to see there as well.

“Come in, come in then” opened the door wider.

walked into the living room followed behind by .

put the films on the side. He looked to then .

“I’ll get my coat. do you know where it is?”

looked at him blankly. “It’s out side on the” saw the look he was giving her and decided to play along with whatever was chatting about.

“You mean the black one? I think it's upstairs or in the wash, I’ll look” said turning around and walked out followed after her.

and stood in silence for what seemed like an age. ’s stomach was doing back-flips, she hadn’t seen in ages. She wasn’t sure if he would speak to her either which made it worse.
So when he broke the silence she was glad.

“SO how is Josh?” ’s head shot up to look at him. How did he know about that? but she guessed must have told him.

“We broke up.” “That’s a shame, are you alright about it?” “Yeah, we wanted different things.”

“You?” “Me and Josh. Well what can I say? Going great.” said making a joke out of it.

joined in laughing too, she was starting to feel relaxed again.

“I mean, aren't you seeing anyone?” “No, I’m single me.”
“Really, you and aren’t together anymore?” “No, you were right about her.”

just looked at . “Can we hug or something, I’m starting to feel weird.” asked with half a smile.

and walked back into the living room. “So are you both friends again?” asked winking at .

looked to who shrugged putting the answer back to . “Yeah” answered smiling at who looked to with pleading eyes.

“So are you boys going already? and I have tons to talk about, then we have face packs films etc to watch.”

“Nice we're off. See you girls later.” pulled close to him and kissed her.

and had done the face packs and movies, they were just about to sit down to chat when 's phone rang.

After a moment walked back in. “Sorry Hun but Leah isn’t well, I have to pick her up.” “That’s ok, maybe we can chat some other time?”

“No, don’t be silly. You’re coming with me. I just meant our chat would have to wait a bit. I'll pick her up come home and chat. You might as well stay the night.”

After about an hour they were back home, Leah had wanted to sit down stairs with them so put on the little Mermaid after 15 minutes Leah was asleep.

“So now tell me everything” said to with a tone that said 'I mean everything'.

“Like what?” asked, she wasn’t sure where to begin herself.

“Well, how long are you staying in Sligo for? Why are you back? What’s going on with you and Josh? How is ?”

took a deep breath. “Ok. 1- is great, really happy, she’s got a bloke, Jamie Draven, he's a sweetheart, really cares for her. They are moving in together so I expect wedding bells soon. 2- LA, love it to bits. 3-I’m in Sligo for good, I’ve just brought my old house. I walked past last night, saw it was up for sale, knocked on the door and got it for a song. The lady, Mrs Ryan, was so pleased she said she had it on the market for a bit and no one had brought it, said it was too near the beach so it was damp. 4- Josh is good, we broke up. We were going to get married but I had all these thoughts and had to come back to Sligo.”

“Wow, a lot but I don’t get it. I thought you loved Josh?” asked confused.

looked at . “Fine I’ll tell you, you'rr going to think I’m nuts but. I couldn’t marry Josh cause I’m in Love with . That was the main reason I left here. My heart was telling me come back. When I saw him today words can’t describe how I felt. I love him , not even Josh could change that.”

was in shock, she had never known how felt about . She knew she cared for him but not love him.

“Well maybe it's fate you're back then” smiled happily. It was sure going to be great having another girl around.

“When do you move in to your house?” “She wants to go right away so I say a month at least.”

“Right, you can stay here” looked at with a 'huh' look. “I’m not having my friend staying in a hotel for a month. We’ve got lots of rooms. won’t mind. I’ll even call him to get him to pick your stuff up.”

Before could say anything was on the phone.

“What, is wifey checking up on you?” said laughing when he heard answer the phone and say 's name.

gave him a dirty look. “At least my wife rings me.”

“So does mine when I awsner it.” shouted back.

“Ok I’ll go there on my way home.” put down the phone and turned to the lads.

“Well I have to go home, wants me to pick up ’s stuff from the hotel.”

“Why, is she going again?” asked him with a look of concern.

“NO, she’s staying at ours for a bit, till her new place is free.”

“What place, is she moving back for good?” asked trying to keep his tone to a 'I don’t care either way' but really he was over the moon.

“Yeah she’s back for good. So I need to go get her stuff so I’ll see you boys later.”

“Wait, I’ll come” said jumping up. turned to “Do you want to come, to I’ll drop you off?”

nodded, he got up and followed behind the other two.

“So , are you really going to ask out?” asked for ’s sake.

“NO, I was joking, I love , I do. I’m not her soul mate, he's sitting in the back seat there”

“What?” shouted at him. had to laugh. “I’m not stupid mate. It's written all over your face big time. I’m not going to mess with that.”

“She doesn’t feel the same. She said there was nothing keeping her in Sligo. So drop it.” “Well she’s back, isn’t she? She's got more reason to stay in LA than she has to come back to Sligo. So why has she come?”

“Why don’t you ask her, smarty pants?” folded him arms and sat back in the seat. His brain thinking one thing and his heart another.

There was no way was back for him. She wouldn’t have gone in the first place. And as if had read his mind he stated the obvious.

“When left and claimed there was nothing keeping her here. You were dating mate.”

couldn’t argue that but he was not going to believe anything apart from he and could be friends again.

A MONTH LATER

had loved having stay at hers. She could have the best of both worlds of being married with a kid but yet have her best friend back to do all the girlie stuff. Leah had loved it as well. had become her older sister. So as helped unpack her stuff in her new house she was a little up set.

walked out to help bring in some more stuff when she saw walk down the road with the others.

She couldn’t help but smile. The past month had been great, it was like the old group just minus .

had become friends again with and they enjoyed their Friday night horror fest. even found she had become closer to as well.

He had confessed to her that was leaving him for another guy. But he swore her to secrecy. Starting up rumours that they were having an affair. had got so mad and upset he had told them all. Making them feel terrible.

But things were back to normal. Thank god.

“About time. Talk about leave the ladies to the hard stuff.” said walking out the front door behind .

“We thought we would wait till later so we wouldn’t hurt our backs for that purpose.” said pulling to him.

“Missed you.” “Oh get a room.” said, turned to him. “I knew Leah got it from you.” hit on the arm playfully.

“Boys behave, you're like children.” said laughing. “Well to you guys coming late you're in luck, me and couldn’t move all the heavy stuff so we left it in the van for you. Thanks guys.” blew them a kiss and walked back inside with laughing.

“She seems happy” said to more than the other two.

“I guess she is.”

Finally the guys had brought in the final boxes, it had taken them all day and evening.

“Right. Friday night party at here.” said walking in with a tray of drinks and snacks.

“Cool, we like to party” said.

Leah ran into the living and jumped onto 's lap.

“Mummy said I could have one of the rooms. Can I stay sometimes please?”

smiled at her. “Of course you can” noticed Leah had drawn a picture she took it off her and looked at it.

“What’s this Hun?” “It’s a picture of us all.”

“I can see that, who’s who then?” Leah pointed to each one of the people in her picture saying who they were and what they were doing.

“That’s , she has a broken heart. And that’s who has taken it” Leah explained to her mother.

Everyone looked at each other then back to Leah waiting for her to explain.

“What do you mean, stabbed her?” Leah looked innocently at everyone looking at her and cried. She had thought she had done something bad.

and took her home. They tried asking her what she meant but she never said anything.

Friday night was getting nearer and still hadn’t finished the place. So and had offered to have the party at theirs as a welcome home to .

Then once ’s place was sorted they could have one there as well.

and were shopping for the perfect outfit, they had done the whole of Sligo and Dublin but they ended up back at Sligo.

got a black dress that she knew would drive wild. went for fancy jeans and a pink chiffon top.

She had no one to dress up in a dress for so she didn’t see the point.

“So I’ll see you at mine later. I think the boys are picking you up at 8.” said hugging goodbye.

As soon as had dropped off at 5 she had spent all the time getting ready. It was now 8 and she wasn’t quite there yet.

She heard a knock on her door, she opened the door and saw three guys there.

“Hey boys I’m not ready yet give me 5.” ran back up stairs to put her outfit on.

decided against the chiffon top and went for her fave pink corset style top she loved so much. She clipped her hair up and put a rose clip in place to hold it.

She ran downstairs, grabbed her jacket and put her boots on.

She walked into the living room. “Ready” She smiled.

“At last, women, they take forever.” said linking his arm through ’s.

“What can I say, I was shopping too late. That’s why”

“Well, you look fab.” said behind.

“You boys look great yourselves.”

Leah was looking out her window for everyone to get to her house. She had dressed as a fairy and she couldn’t wait to show everyone.

When 's car pulled into the drive she ran downstairs.

“They're here, Daddy, Mummy, they're here” Leah cried.

walked out the kitchen and opened the door. “You're late.”

“Well don’t look at me, blame them, they were late picking me up” smiled sweetly.

“Yeah right, we were late. We were early and you were still late,” said standing up for Men’s rights.

“I don’t like you no more .” said winking at him.

Leah came running outside to .

“I dressed as a fairy” “I can see it. You look like a little Fairy Princess.”

Leah laughed shyly. “You can have one wish then?” “Now?” “No, later”

put Leah down who then wanted the other lads to pick her up in turn.

Everyone was in the living room chatting and dancing.

Leah walked into the living room and sat on ’s lap.

“Can I tell you something?” “Yeah sure Hun.” followed Leah into the kitchen where was making some drinks.

“Hey” said to when she walked in. “I want to tell you something”

Leah looked to her mum then back to .

“I drew a picture for you to say sorry.” Leah said looking at with puppy dog eyes.

“What are you sorry for?” “The other picture of you and having a broken heart cause of stealing it.”

“It's ok, you don’t need to be sorry.” “I drew it cause you told Mummy you loved , that’s why you're back. stole your heart. And he won’t give it back.”

“I don’t love ” tried to say but Leah wasn’t listening. “You told mummy you love .”

Leah’s eyes were filled with tears. couldn’t lie to her.

“Yes I love very much. That’s why I’m back.” “As much as mummy and Daddy love each other?” “Yes, but unlike daddy, doesn’t feel the same. So we can’t tell anyone how I fell about him ok?” “Ok. But you love though? As in you’re a princess and he's a prince.” smiled and ruffled Leah’s hair. “Yes, like that.”
looked to who had a look of panic on her face. turned around to see and the lads standing just inside the door.

looked back to . “She was trapped in the kitchen with no way out. had just heard her say she loved him. Great, this was all she needed just when they were starting to be friends again. It would be all-weird now.

“” started to say but wouldn’t have him explaining anything to her.

She stood up and headed for the bathroom. “Don’t say anything, I don’t want to know.”

had managed to get to the bathroom. She locked the door and looked around for an escape. She loved people having downstairs bathrooms, there was always a window you could climb out from.

handed a drink. “She loves me?” asked “Yes. I can’t believe you over heard that. is probably...” “Gone” said walking in from the hallway.

“What do you mean 'gone'?” asked as if was being stupid or something.

“I knocked on the door, no answer, I tried opening it and it did. She wasn’t in there, she climbed out the window.”

“She did what? My god, she must be freaked big time.” said more to herself than the others.

stood up. “Where are you going?” “After her” “ I don’t think that’s a good idea. She won’t want to talk to you about that you like her as a friend.”

“I don’t like her as a friend though, I like her more than that.”

was gobed smacked. felt the same as . “Oh. Well go and get her then.”

“Wait” Leah shouted to . Leah ran upstairs, after a moment she ran back down.

“Give her this.” Leah handed a picture, it was him and in a heart shape. kissed the top of Leah’s head and ran out the door.

“Drama, drama, drama” said from behind.

ran and ran. She was glad she hadn’t put her heels on and went for her new trainers instead.

She was going to run home but decided against it so she opted for the park.

knew that wouldn’t go home, it would be too obvious and was never one for that.

He thought for a moment then remember liked going to the Park where the lake was, they used to sometimes go there when they had any thing to talk.

Hey it was worth a shot. As he ran to the swings he wasn’t shocked that he was right in being there.

She was sitting swinging. He walked up to her slowly and sat on the swing next her.

didn’t need to turn to see who was sitting next to her, she could always feel when he was around. When she was a teenager she never understood why, it was only later on that she knew it was love.

“You didn’t have to runaway, you know.” “Why? I’m so good at it.” snapped back.

“Do you love me?” sighed she turned to look at him her stomach doing back-flips. “ go away, I want to be alone. I don’t need the 'I don’t like you in that way' speech.”

“Who said I was going to say that? I didn’t. What, can you read minds now?”

looked at with a questionable look. “Ok, let me ask you this. If I would have asked you to stay when you went to LA, would you have done?” “You were with ” “I’m not asking you that, I’m asking, would you have stayed?” “Probably. I had to leave, I couldn’t stand being around you and . It hurt too much.”

“I get that. I wish I would have known how you felt though.” looked back at . “What do you mean?” “I only went with cause I thought you didn’t feel the same as me.”

“Same as you what?” asked trying not to sound hopeful.

“That I love you, always have done and I know I always will.”

smiled. “Do you mean that?” nodded and handed the picture Leah had drawn of them together in a heart.

“Yes, I mean it. When I over heard what Leah said I wanted to jump over the table take you in my arms and kiss you.”

“Well, there’s no table and I’m not stopping you.” said as innocently as she could.

pulled ’s swing to him they both looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.

“I’m asking you to stay with me. Will you?” “Yes”.

With that, lent forward and kissed softly at first then with more passion.

The End